B2 visa extension denied as a matter of discretion

[sudbon2784]

Hello,

My parents arrived US in Feb 2020 and supposed leave Aug 2020. Due to Covid, I applied their extension in July and they received Biometrics appointment at the end of September. Both attended the Biometrics appointment and then left US in Nov 2020. Now I received a denial notice for my mother stating that the fingerprints provided were not satisfactory and since she left US, she was unable to satisfy the biometrics requirement and hence, the application is denied as a matter of discretion. I would appreciate if anyone can comment on my questions -

1. Is her stay from August to November considered as unlawful presence? 

2. Her visa is expiring is August 2021 and we have plans to apply for visa extension in India. Will she lose the dropbox eligibility because of this denial?

3. Will it cause any issue during her future travel?

4. Can we appeal against this decision? They clearly stated that a denial due to abandonment may not be appealed. Is this denial considered due to abandonment?

Thanks.

[Noah Lott]

not likely

likely

possibly

no